Gold Demand Surges to Record $193 Billion Amid Market Volatility

Global gold demand reached an all-time high of 1,231 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026, valued at a record $193 billion. This surge in demand comes as financial markets struggle with shifting interest-rate expectations and persistent uncertainty.

The increase in demand is significant, despite gold prices declining by 15.4 percent in the second quarter due to expectations that interest rates could remain elevated.

Despite this volatility, physical gold demand remained resilient, particularly for bars and coins in Asian markets.

This trend highlights a broader shift among investors seeking to diversify portfolios and protect wealth against economic swings, currency movements, and changing monetary policy.